It was the time of morning, the sun was shining in the sky and birds were hovering in the sky. The vehicles were flowing on the roads. Avni was standing at the bus stop and she was waiting for the bus. A car passed from there and it stopped then it came back and Avni saw it with a frown. She was looking at the car then the person got down from the car and Avni was surprised to see the person.

It was Ali who shut the door of the car. Ali removed his specs and looked at Avni. Ali came to Avni. Avni looked at the people standing there and their eyes were at her. Avni felt awkward.

Ali: Hi.

Avni: H, Hi. Aa, Ali, you here?

Ali: yeah, I was going to college but I saw you here so I stopped my car. But, you here?

Avni looked down and looked here and there. Avni didn’t want any conspiracy that could become a hurdle in her career. Ali frowned.

Avni: Yeah, I, I go to college by bus. I told you yesterday that I got admission to the college on a scholarship.

Ali: oh, yeah… I forgot about that. I am also going to college so come with me.

Avni was shocked.

Avni: No, no, it’s ok. I am fine.

Ali: oh come on, Avni. We are friends and classmates also so, you can come with me.

Avni smiled.

Avni: It's ok, Ali. I daily go to college by bus so, today also, I can come by bus.

Ali: I don’t know anything, you are coming with me means you are coming. That’s final. Come.

Avni hesitated.

Avni: Ali.

Ali: Avniii… come.

Avni wanted to deny but Ali went to the car and opened the door. Avni looked at the people and she didn’t want any drama so, she went to the car and got in it. Ali smiled and closed the door. Ali went to his side and got in the car. Ali started the car. Avni felt uneasy.

Avni and Ali were on the way.

Ali: so, how are you?

Avni smiled.

Avni: I am fine. How are you?

Ali: good.

Avni smiled. Ali thought something.

Ali: Avni, can I ask you something?

Avni nodded.

Avni: yes, ask?

Ali: do you have a boyfriend?

Avni was shocked. Ali looked at Avni.

Ali: I hope, you didn’t mind. If you don’t want to tell me then it's ok.

Avni looked down then she looked at Ali.

Ali: nothing is there to hide. No, I don’t have a boyfriend. I am not a girlfriend material.

Ali frowned and then he smiled.

Ali: Girlfriend material?

Avni nodded.

Avni: hmm.

Ali: what do you mean by girlfriend material?

Avni sighed.

Avni: Girlfriend material. Girls of nowadays. A girl who is socially active, wears modern dresses, walks with attitude, and has confidence. Boys like these types of girls.

Ali chuckled.

Ali: Who said this to you?

Avni: I saw it in college.

Ali: That’s not true. I am also a boy and I like simplicity. And about college then mostly students belong to rich families there so, they behave accordingly. All boys are not the same. Everyone has their own choice.

Avni: Maybe, I said what I saw.

Ali: so, you are single.

Avni thought and remembered her engagement then she smiled. Avni looked at Neil.

Avni: yeah.

Ali smiled and he thought something while smiling.

Avni: do you have a girlfriend?

Ali: no, I am waiting for my perfect match.

Ali looked at Avni and smiled.

Avni: I wish, you get it soon.

Ali looked at Avni and they smiled. Ali looked at the road and thought something while smiling.

On the other side, the students were going to the college from the main gate. Some were on bikes and some were on cars. A lot of bikes were parked there at the side and cars were also there. Three bikes were parked at some distance from other bikes. Neil was laying on his bike and he was wearing specs and a jacket. His friends were sitting on their bikes. They were talking and smiling.
A car entered the main gate and it moved to the parking area. Vidyut saw the car.

KK: Woh dekh Ali aya hai.

Neil got angry.

Neil: so what?

Ali parked the car. Vidyut hit Karan’s arm.

Vidyut: Chor na, humara kya jaye us se. Chal apni baat karte hain.

Ali and Avni got out of the car. The students were shocked and they looked at each other and everyone started gossiping. Avni looked at the students and she got embarrassed. Avni took her hair strand behind her strand.

Neil heard the sound and he looked at the students.

Neil: what happened?

Vidyut: No idea.

Karan and Vidyut were also looking at the students. Karan turned his face and he was shocked to see Avni and Ali coming together. Karan held Vidyut’s arm who looked at him and then he followed Karan’s gaze. Vidyut was also shocked to see them. Neil looked at his friends and Neil frowned.

Vidyut: Avni.

Neil frowned.

Neil: Avni?
His friends looked at him and then they looked at each other. Neil sat on his bike and looked at the students then he looked where everyone was looking. Neil was shocked to see Avni coming with Ali. Neil was shocked and he removed his specs.

Neil felt like someone had ignited a fire in him. Neil felt a burn in his heart. He was burning with jealousy. Avni took her hair strand behind her ear and her hand brushed Ali’s hand unintentionally. Neil saw that and it was like Avni added kerosene to the fire that was burning in Neil’s heart. Neil clenched his fist and he was shaking in anger.

Avni saw Neil and she instantly forwarded her gaze straight. It increased Neil’s anger. Ali talked to Avni and Avni smiled. Neil grinned his teeth.

Ali saw the students and he frowned.

Ali: yeh sab log humain ase kyun dekh rahe hain jaise hum kisi aur planet se aye hon.

Avni smiled.

Avni: Log chahe kitni hi modern kyun na ho jaye lekin gossip karne ki habit kabhi nahi jaegi.

Ali frowned. Avni smiled.

Avni: Khud hi smajh jaoge.

Avni smiled and Ali nodded.

Ali: ok.

They smiled and went. Neil was looking at them.

Avni, Ali, and other students were sitting in the classroom. Neil came with his friends and he stopped at the door by keeping his hands on both sides of the door. Ali, Avni, and other students saw him. Ali frowned and Avni looked at her book.

Ali: Yeh Neil hai na?

Avni looked at Neil and then she looked at her book.

Avni: Hmm.

Ali: Kafi famous hai.

Avni: hmm.

Ali: aur arrogant bhi.

Avni looked up at the door. Neil was looking at Avni angrily. Avni thought then again she looked at her book. Ali looked at Avni.

Ali: yeh kya tum hamesha parhti rehti ho. Thak nahi jati tum.

Avni smiled by looking at Ali.

Avni: agar thak gai to apne sapne pure kaise karungi.

Ali made a face.

Al: Thora entertainment to hona chahiye.

Avni smiled at that. She didn’t want to be a victim in everyone’s eyes. Neil was looking at them. Avni looked at her book. Neil entered the classroom and his eyes were on Avni. Ali was looking at Neil who passed by him and went to sit in the backseat but Neil’s eyes were on Avni and Ali. The lecturer came and everyone sat on their seats. Soon, the lecture ended.

Avni was passing by the corridor and she was going towards the Library. Someone grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room. Avni flinched and was pinned to the wall. Avni was in shock. Before that, it never happened with her. The door was closed beside her and she flinched. Avni looked at the person and she was shocked. It was Neil who was looking at her angrily. Avni saw anger in Neil’s eyes so she looked down.

Neil: Tum Ali ke sath kya kar rahi thi?

Avni remained silent.

Neil: Maine kuch pucha hai, Avni?

Avni flinched.

Avni: Main bus stop per khari thi, Ali wahan se guzar raha tha to us ne mujhe lift offer ki.

Neil: aur tum ne accept kar li?

Avni shook her head by looking down.

Avni: Ali ne insist kiya.

Neil: lift to maine bhi offer ki thi tumhe to phir?

Avni remained silent. Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil: kya tum Ali ko pehle se janti ho?

Avni shook her head.

Neil: strange. Kafi achi dosti ho gai hai tum dono ki ek hi din main. Hmm. baat kya hai?

Avni looked at Neil and she remained silent.

Neil: Meri baat dihan se sun lo aur apne is chote se mind main bitha lo. Aaj se aur ab se main tumhe Ali ke sath na dekhun.

Avni looked at him shockingly.

Avni: Lekin principal sir ne us ki help karne ko kaha hai.

Neil: I don’t know anything. Woh koi doodh peeta bacha nahi hai jo tum us ki help karogi. Woh self-study kar sakta hai. Aur teachers hain is college main us ki help ke liye. Tumhe us ki help karne ki koi zarorat nahi hai.

Avni didn’t like it so she looked away. Neil didn’t like that so suddenly he kept his hands on the wall on both sides of Avni and Avni flinched. Avni looked at Neil who came deadly close to her. Avni gulped.

Neil: I don’t like this attitude.

Avni was innocently looking at him. She looked down.

Neil: don’t forget I am your fiancé.

Avni looked at Neil. Neil was looking at Avni and he realized what he said. Neil didn’t meet eyes with Avni because he understood why she was looking at him like this. Neil looked down and he moved back.

Neil: I mean. Tum, tumhari family wale mere. Bharose. Tumhe. Tumhe yahan aane de rahe hain. You are. You are my res, responsibility.

Avni looked down. Neil looked at Avni and instantly he looked away.

Avni: mujhe Ali ki is assignment ko complete karne main help karni hai. Yeh chapter kafi tough hai aur is main problems bhi hain so, mujhe us ki help karni paregi.

Neil looked at Avni and he got angry. Avni was looking down.

Avni: we are just classmates. Nothing more than that. I hope you will understand.

Avni looked at Neil. They were looking at each other and then Avni looked down. Avni turned and she pulled down the lock. Avni opened the door and she was about to go but she stopped. Avni turned and she looked at Neil who was looking at her. Avni looked down and then she went from there but Neil’s eyes were on her. Neil saw her going from the window. Neil got angry and he hit his leg to the wall. Neil was in immense anger.

Later, in the college, Neil was sitting at the window and his friends were standing there. KK was standing by leaning against the wall and Vidyut was standing there. Two girls came to them and started talking with them. They wanted their help. Some girls usually make excuses to talk to them and they knew that so it was not a big thing for them. A girl stood close to Neil and it was normal for him but not anymore. Now, Neil didn’t like any girl standing close to him but Neil didn’t react.

Avni was passing from there because it was a way to the library and Neil knew that and that’s why Neil sat there. Avni looked up and she stopped to see Neil with his friends and girls. Neil saw Avni and he was shocked to see Avni. Avni looked down, she didn’t react because it was not a new thing for her neither she had much expectations from their relationship. Neil realized that the girl was standing close to him. Avni started to go.

Neil: Sneha, move away.

Avni was passing by there and she stopped. Avni looked at Neil who was looking at her. Neil’s friends were shocked then they saw Avni and understood the situation. They looked at each other then they looked at Neil and Avni. Avni didn’t react and she went from there. Neil felt a pinch in his heart that Avni never have shown her right on him if she came and warns the girls to stay away from him then he would have felt happy but nothing happened like that. Neil got angry and he glared at the girl. Everyone was shocked. Neil got up.

Neil: Next time, don’t you dare to stand near me. Stay away from me.

Vidyut: Relax, Neil, asa bhi kya kar diya us ne?

Neil realized that he had overreacted. Neil looked at the girl who was looking down.

Neil: Look, I am sorry, but please mujhse thora distance maintain kar ke rakho. Don’t stand close to me. I don’t like it.

The girl nodded while looking down.

Girl: sorry.

Neil: it’s ok.

They smiled and then the girl excused herself and went. Someone was looking at them standing at some distance and it was Juhi. She saw everything. Juhi thought.

Juhi: yeh Neil aaj kal us behan ji main bohat interest le raha hain akhir baat kya hai. Pata to lagana parega.

Juhi nodded.

On the other side, Neil came into the library in search of Avni. Neil looked around and he moved. Neil saw that Avni was finding a book. Neil hurriedly went to Avni who saw him and was shocked to see him. Avni turned her face to avoid Neil and she started to search the book.

Neil: Avni, mujhe tum se kuch baat karni hai.

Avni said while looking for the book: yeh library hai yahan baat karna allowed nahi hai.

Neil: to bahar chalo.

Avni looked at Neil and then she resumed her work.

Avni: Mujhe ek book issue karwani hai. Sir ne aaj assignment di hai agar kisi aur ne issue karwa li to mere liye problem ho jaegi.

Neil: oh come on, Avni, sab aaj kal internet se hi assignment banate hain so relax.

Avni took a book and looked in it. Neil was looking at Avni.

Neil: Avni, dekho, jaisa tum ne dekha waisa kuch nahi hai, woh Sneha bus ase hi mere pass khari thi.

Avni looked at him for some time and then she kept the book back and said: to yeh tum mujhe kyun bata rahe ho maine to kuch nahi kaha.

Neil made an angry face and Avni moved from there and went behind the shelf. She was searching for the book. Neil came to her and held Avni’s arm and then he held her second arm. Neil pinned Avni to the wall who flinched. Avni looked at Neil who was glaring at her.

Neil: tum khud ko smajhti kya ho?

Avni was looking at Neil. Their intense eyes lock. They heard the sound and Neil slightly turned his face and Avni looked in the direction. Some students were coming there. Neil looked at Avni and he left her. They looked at each other and Neil hurriedly went from there and Avni was looking at him. The students came and Avni saw them. Avni smiled and she kept her hair behind her ear. Avni moved to the shelf and acted to search for the book. Avni’s heart was still beating fast.

The day passed and the daylight was covered with the sheet of night and the sun was replaced by the moon. The moon was shining over the Khanna mansion where Neil was sitting on the bed by resting his back on the hardboard of the bed and a pillow was kept in his lap. Neil saw the flashes of how Avni and Ali were having French fries and burgers on the stairs and they were smiling, Avni and Ali sat together in the class and they came to college together. Neil was thinking about Avni. On the other side, Avni was also sitting in her room on the bed and she was thinking about Neil’s behavior.
Flashback:

1. Avni was passing by the corridor and someone grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room. Avni flinched and was pinned to the wall. It was Neil who was looking at her angrily.

2. Neil: Tum Ali ke sath kya kar rahi thi?

3. Neil: lift to maine bhi offer ki thi tumhe to phir?

4. Neil: strange. Kafi achi dosti ho gai hai tum dono ki ek hi din main. Hmm. baat kya hai?

5. Neil: Meri baat dihan se sun lo aur apne is chote se mind main bitha lo. Aaj se aur ab se main tumhe Ali ke sath na dekhun.

6. Neil came deadly close to Avni’s face.

Neil: I don’t like this attitude.

7. Avni was innocently looking at him. She looked down.

Neil: don’t forget I am your fiancé.

8. Avni saw Neil with the girls.

9. Neil: Avni, dekho, jaisa tum ne dekha waisa kuch nahi hai, woh Sneha bus ase hi mere pass khari thi.

10. Neil pulled Avni to the wall and their intense eyes locked.

Flashback ends.

Avni was thinking about Neil.

Avni: aaj kal Neil itna strange behave kyun kar raha hai?

Avni thought.

It was the time of the morning, the sun rises and it was showering its love on the earth. People have started their day because they have to earn for living. The sun was shining over the Mehta house where Avni was all ready to go to the college.

Avni: Maa, main college jaa rahi hun.

Neela maa came to Avni and they hugged.

Nm: dihan se jana.

Avni: Ji. Bye.

Nm: Bye.

They passed the smiled to each other and Avni moved. Avni came out of her home and she closed the door. Avni turned and she looked up. She stopped to see something. Avni frowned.

Now what Avni saw. Any guesses?